tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80287177627564909152024-02-22T13:23:24.672-06:00The Atomic SummerChelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151012036638121399noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028717762756490915.post-3156473685241439242012-04-29T19:05:00.001-05:002012-04-29T21:26:11.110-05:00Spring is in the air So far this spring I have spent a good deal of my time outside. It's so gorgeous I have to take advantage of all the outdoor time I can get before the temperatures start getting closer to the triple digits and I lock myself inside in the nice, cool air conditioning.<br />
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One of my favorite parts of owning a house is having a yard. Back in the old apartment I did a little gardening and even had a small vegetable garden. Our patio was pretty much over-grown with all of my gardening endeavors. Since we moved in to the house during the fall and our focus was on the interior I didn't have much time to enjoy the yard before the cooler temperatures came in and killed most everything. Not to mention the horrible drought last summer and the fact that the house sat vacant on the market for several months during the hottest, dryest months. Our yard was in very sad shape. After talking to the neighbors and discovering the previous tenants did very little yard work I thought it would take forever to get the yard looking good.<br />
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Luckily I was only half wrong! The front left and far right side of our yard barely have more than a sprig or two of real grass, it's mostly crab grass and weeds. With a little TLC I've had some luck at the front of the house. I'm hoping by the end of the summer we will have the front filled in with lucious St. Augustine grass so next spring we can work on getting it to spread to the other less fortunate areas of the yard.<br />
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I have a pretty nice vegetable garden in the works and can't wait
until I can reap the rewards. I've already gotten a few strawberries and
a tomatillio, but I also have carrots, romaine lettuce, zuchinni,
yellow squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, raspberries, grapes and watermelon hopefully on the
way!<br />
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We took advatage of a sale on fruit trees at Lowe's and planted two new apple trees and a peach tree in our side yard. I'm not counting on any fruit in the near future but hopefully a few years down the road with some luck I will have lots of fresh fruit as well. We are also fortunate to have two large, mature pecan trees in our back yard, so I'm hoping for a good harvest later this year. Mmmm fresh pecan pie, I can almost taste it now..<br />
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Our front patio is now looking quite nice with the addition of the new love seat I got from the antique festival a few weeks ago. I've got most of the furniture painted (all except the big table) and I love how it turned out, the new white paint really gave it a new life. I also finally got around to filling the planter with polka-dot plants today. <br />
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Earlier today I came across a wonderful surprise. While taking a break from pulling weeds I noticed a mockingbird fly into the tree right near our back porch with a worm in it's mouth. I took a peek and found a nest; there was a tiny little baby bird inside of it too! I am delighted, this is exactly why I love having a big backyard.<br />
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I never would have guessed a little nest was hiding just behind the leaves, but lo and behold..<br />
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Since you may have noticed our sad looking shutters on the front of our house in the first photo, I guess I should offer an explanation. When my parents visited last month they did quite a few projects around the house, installing gutters along the front, re-screening and painting our screen doors and even dug up all the ugly shrubs that I hated along the front windows. Once the shrubs were gone I noticed how the paint on the shutters was peeling, so on my last day of vacation I took out the scraper and decided to repaint the shutters. I quickly found out it was easier said than done! Although there was only two layers of paint on them it did not want to come off easy. Using paint remover only left us with a bubbly, gunky mess that burned our skin when we accidentally got some on us. So our shutters have looked like complete hell for about a month now. A few days ago we finally broke out the sander and got a good deal of the paint off, but we are going to have to hand sand all the slats, ughhh. Hopefully we will finish them up in the next few weeks since I feel a little embarrassed this project has sat unfinished where all the neighbors can see for so long.<br />
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We've also made some progress on our guestroom, one of the 'final frontiers' inside of the house. It's still got a ways to go but we've got most of the painting finished.. or as 'finished' as it will be since we quickly figured out for ourselves how difficult red paint is. If I had known how many coats and how blotchy it would end up I would of chosen orange paint instead. After 4 coats we decided we were going to have to live with it being imperfect because we were not going back to the store to buy yet another can of paint.<br />
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I had some luck at an estate sale yesterday. I'm excited to start reading the Better Homes & Gardens "New Garden Book" from 1961 and the thermometer/barometer will go on our back porch. I am totally in love with the Santa Claus card holder and punch bowl set. Since it was the final day of the sale everything was 50% off so I scored all of this (plus a cake knife with a starburst handle that still must be rolling around in the back seat of the car) for only $17. <br />
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Wishing you all a lovely spring and green thumb for all of your gardening adventures until next time! <br />
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<br />Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151012036638121399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028717762756490915.post-59629343830741729822012-04-09T18:51:00.002-05:002012-04-09T18:53:44.773-05:00The Texas Antique Weekend I'm sure most of ya'll have already read all about the wonders of the Warrenton Antique Festival over at Miss <a href="http://www.bettycrafter.com/" target="_blank">Betty Crafter's blog</a> (make sure you stop by and enter her contest to win a super cute squirrel planter). This was my first time attending and it was such a dream come true, I had to go twice! I went opening week with Mike and then back a week later with Betty and our friend Cassie.<br />
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Before we arrived in the Warrenton/Round Top area we had to take a small dirt road out to the middle of nowhere. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty sure Leatherface was waiting just around the bend.<br />
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</div> Once we arrived safely at our desitination I was overcome with some of the most beautiful vintage treasures my eyes could behold! The picture doesn't do this television justice, since there were lots of items piled in front of it, but it sat on a neat rolling stand. I can just imagine it in a turquoise kitchen!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0db0o5ySfyqPPJmBYzpVP_FtOLDyqoEyVCczfgCaavfbfG7VJA_AmUA8MWeK4BmcnuIDF9Hsv4gvWeLkj5xXuiGQoaRYuv1yRsLjK54a6fHhN9Jl_jX3wpRqnxxgta75vqfyCkhFPmjDN/s1600/IMG_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0db0o5ySfyqPPJmBYzpVP_FtOLDyqoEyVCczfgCaavfbfG7VJA_AmUA8MWeK4BmcnuIDF9Hsv4gvWeLkj5xXuiGQoaRYuv1yRsLjK54a6fHhN9Jl_jX3wpRqnxxgta75vqfyCkhFPmjDN/s640/IMG_1024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
My little brother came for a visit a few weeks ago, and even though he's only 13 he loves the show 'American Pickers' and has developed a picking habit of his own when it comes to vintage signs & Coca Cola memorabilia. I had to snap a pic to share the massive haul they had at this booth.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0U5Q-mNC2h63b3XFDiLIK0wStkunRbEUOUVLl1bUGIzYZ4WRMAYnaAxAJWaqODtuCt8PBXLKOUy27J4z5SLu_JvDyaIlbLKqbadvW2IqBE5p7PJiwAY2JqVKfihNDtgGaCpzGXKShXqcU/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0U5Q-mNC2h63b3XFDiLIK0wStkunRbEUOUVLl1bUGIzYZ4WRMAYnaAxAJWaqODtuCt8PBXLKOUy27J4z5SLu_JvDyaIlbLKqbadvW2IqBE5p7PJiwAY2JqVKfihNDtgGaCpzGXKShXqcU/s640/IMG_1026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I, on the other hand, have a soft place in my heart for black Americana from the early/mid 1900s, and there was a ton of it at various booths. Check out this "Little Black Sambo" board game; they only had the cover of the box but the graphics are the most adorable thing!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDmOFmq3fXYqhGCLzKB7pYiXj0GKLhJu2z2_PZ7fYDcBuBEOwqrX0DuUOUIujK9bbK64GyPK-uJiQZXbZjkk3PvuvYczrq4_1kSdxLk5WMvXEltq6RpOODRdwA2eJuCr4RUxq4lJHfuI7/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDmOFmq3fXYqhGCLzKB7pYiXj0GKLhJu2z2_PZ7fYDcBuBEOwqrX0DuUOUIujK9bbK64GyPK-uJiQZXbZjkk3PvuvYczrq4_1kSdxLk5WMvXEltq6RpOODRdwA2eJuCr4RUxq4lJHfuI7/s640/IMG_1025.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I have no idea what the 'Scairy Baby Hotel' is, but it certainly compliments the nearby Texas Chainsaw Massacre dirt road and gave me the creeps.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU4HzEoK75eBjS3MuNClbo_eOkUpxbQlILk_aZsqDToSB9uPI_vc0NRTthrcpzkJirg51W6eNKitImx6zR99TvqkSOCOUjs2Q6YrCdlnS9HxyzdcLpm7ncV6E6-Ft02Jhs9tEh425mmc5/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU4HzEoK75eBjS3MuNClbo_eOkUpxbQlILk_aZsqDToSB9uPI_vc0NRTthrcpzkJirg51W6eNKitImx6zR99TvqkSOCOUjs2Q6YrCdlnS9HxyzdcLpm7ncV6E6-Ft02Jhs9tEh425mmc5/s640/IMG_1029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And of course I fell in love with this pink Shasta trailer; it wasn't for sale but that didn't stop me from wishing I could take it home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHel5pLjSPtY3kofAjh-4IlWgf0tTmXgg03HG-mxgTiCi5XgnuA_uOnz1AhqDqBKH1unrISJU1Q-rT7GGrRcsGwqb92QtGcjr_0e5DFR0UD9DJwzkZEmtTUc7dl0G40XkRckrHFaqZrTX/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHel5pLjSPtY3kofAjh-4IlWgf0tTmXgg03HG-mxgTiCi5XgnuA_uOnz1AhqDqBKH1unrISJU1Q-rT7GGrRcsGwqb92QtGcjr_0e5DFR0UD9DJwzkZEmtTUc7dl0G40XkRckrHFaqZrTX/s640/IMG_1030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I almost swerved off the road when I saw this blow mold city but somehow managed to park safely before totally freaking out. Can I take them all home? Please?? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpLfumr49qS7XvSzVsVLZHFPCjRT7qafvrnQ9B1d9JKlmj1L58hk3AoWlB6SgXHp0EGwoLgH3HgZoYrWL1nb2ZLuGltURUbplceUSnpimMT32YYTY7uVclyy1lGuf0_Qri9QGGWTfI1ms/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpLfumr49qS7XvSzVsVLZHFPCjRT7qafvrnQ9B1d9JKlmj1L58hk3AoWlB6SgXHp0EGwoLgH3HgZoYrWL1nb2ZLuGltURUbplceUSnpimMT32YYTY7uVclyy1lGuf0_Qri9QGGWTfI1ms/s640/IMG_1031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I did bring home two blow molds to start my collection. An adorable blue eyed Santa that Betty found for me and an overly happy and almost creepy Easter bunny.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX565oVXXtP0J0bS6dWE0TEQFZeiz_iXpZGwzGTFbhIJ4CUhXewbaQiuwdFiSxdKcS-6pO-jBi60qFau5T33Bzgx1SSWG8bAtmFF16rVkExsRwLWsOeH-wvo2RJNp4dgl87jZ69Hv3dhyp/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX565oVXXtP0J0bS6dWE0TEQFZeiz_iXpZGwzGTFbhIJ4CUhXewbaQiuwdFiSxdKcS-6pO-jBi60qFau5T33Bzgx1SSWG8bAtmFF16rVkExsRwLWsOeH-wvo2RJNp4dgl87jZ69Hv3dhyp/s640/IMG_1064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div> Next I died and went to Pyrex heaven. I seriously felt a few heart palpitations and got a little teary eyed at this beautiful sight. I could of stayed here all day talking to the cute little old lady who was selling these. She spoke about them like they were her babies and with good reason. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJqlNXxKOWlYHM9-7jWfIDfJo-93VaaCCSKtgM6m09yjOXrIOybc7F3wszrwf-nbkt_Qp_DyIYnM0M8ooVHQJ_uQZ3w1iMa_aC35sOlpMBmc2nk91tecH6E5CsTKjbi3ltjeo5siD2snW/s1600/IMG_1028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJqlNXxKOWlYHM9-7jWfIDfJo-93VaaCCSKtgM6m09yjOXrIOybc7F3wszrwf-nbkt_Qp_DyIYnM0M8ooVHQJ_uQZ3w1iMa_aC35sOlpMBmc2nk91tecH6E5CsTKjbi3ltjeo5siD2snW/s640/IMG_1028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> This was only a small portion of the Pyrex she had at her booth and there were several booths nearby with impressive collections as well. If I was a millionaire I would of bought it all! Sadly that's not the case but I still feel like I brought home a good haul. The best deal of the day was the 50 cents I paid for the mug.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDn6yC3heRGg4pCfba5Ix31S12qLhS6MeIvWHFCq8yVt-ot-KXblSZtARuUVad-j1yGht-KmdNtP4fhbHF9AZSyyk3xOTzq-erIL0IJUiPRF4aco3uzI2Vp7HLfSGVwsr0Hk0-C-Va9Ml/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDn6yC3heRGg4pCfba5Ix31S12qLhS6MeIvWHFCq8yVt-ot-KXblSZtARuUVad-j1yGht-KmdNtP4fhbHF9AZSyyk3xOTzq-erIL0IJUiPRF4aco3uzI2Vp7HLfSGVwsr0Hk0-C-Va9Ml/s640/IMG_1035.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The goal of the first trip was to come home with an amazing planter and towards the end of the day I did just that! I had Mike do my bargaining for me and he was able to get this planter stand for $35. A trip to the nursery is in order to fill it with all kinds of lovely greenery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCurUTTiK3QYzuImzccB3DtiiReG4EdGr7l312x9tksXMQVRmQWEWQMzPtCb57DbYjQoY-2OFmqaXesxB-jFvEqgL6j85arjHGbLEXdoU-vQiVbVHeoYtWVvzNyKohY27NitNWml28I4n/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCurUTTiK3QYzuImzccB3DtiiReG4EdGr7l312x9tksXMQVRmQWEWQMzPtCb57DbYjQoY-2OFmqaXesxB-jFvEqgL6j85arjHGbLEXdoU-vQiVbVHeoYtWVvzNyKohY27NitNWml28I4n/s640/IMG_1033.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Speaking of plants, I also picked up this cute butterfly planter and a wonderful turquoise plant stand with my very last $20. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYBs-oQueiQMEnEZhJ5COweuiWTtVW8CVymsf5mKmk3guETsiorN2mzIU4MBDrA0O1cz4bJUy_dcW90Fzj8ZYyW8X6n2vYdAwc0KgqrcTvmy1O4xYzXtpnz6zUBF3hCK-AzlAdb_n1FG4/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYBs-oQueiQMEnEZhJ5COweuiWTtVW8CVymsf5mKmk3guETsiorN2mzIU4MBDrA0O1cz4bJUy_dcW90Fzj8ZYyW8X6n2vYdAwc0KgqrcTvmy1O4xYzXtpnz6zUBF3hCK-AzlAdb_n1FG4/s640/IMG_1059.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> After Cassie picked up a gorgeous Bakelite orange fruit necklace and Betty her leaf necklace, I was yearning for a Bakelite necklace of my own. I confessed to the ladies (who are both pretty serious collectors) that I didn't own any Bakelite, and we decided I had to remedy that pronto. I was skeptical on this necklace but after the dealer offered me the deal of a lifetime, I just couldn't say no. I'm so glad I decided to get it, since I've worn it nearly every day since! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTh9pOx7uLZobQZh9FMOdXnxtKO3gXIC0Cd0wA5-PRV8jUm8AxOsw_PCM2ar7uRV8WvgB2mmj_V3_ZR9LBUUldxAfH9XSYsqh0kTnPrXQcN5lHw5hts0WLOwO4TcTCOAniAprkdUV-wzW/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTh9pOx7uLZobQZh9FMOdXnxtKO3gXIC0Cd0wA5-PRV8jUm8AxOsw_PCM2ar7uRV8WvgB2mmj_V3_ZR9LBUUldxAfH9XSYsqh0kTnPrXQcN5lHw5hts0WLOwO4TcTCOAniAprkdUV-wzW/s400/IMG_1054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I just couldn't pass by this little deer bookend, he looks just like Bambi and looks perfect on our built in bookshelves in the family room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5W8kVu4ShZjFtbEhURU45KGUlX1niP_MKYUfuIdhMyB6AuE6TqQPDxhSuK_tKdciGf-fn-SYtX2gmIknbeazeq7k1IJVZ34YjOJqJxXrug49r8DXTfWWoLSu9QyZZgDJYfBI4lXUbetx/s1600/IMG_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5W8kVu4ShZjFtbEhURU45KGUlX1niP_MKYUfuIdhMyB6AuE6TqQPDxhSuK_tKdciGf-fn-SYtX2gmIknbeazeq7k1IJVZ34YjOJqJxXrug49r8DXTfWWoLSu9QyZZgDJYfBI4lXUbetx/s640/IMG_1077.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Of course I left a few things behind that I really wish I could have brought home, like this gorgeous laquered coffee table which would have looked absolutely perfect in our family room. (I'm still kicking myself for not buying it!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtisReJOmWzpnT0S1Lg01_nPgSbMekS4cNINwMip29k2q6Ytt0TgE4zXzH69pTPbiSnMjWfpYvlQotEmdn_XOQfmFvG7KvmC6hrGMTEbL43QVMzm3L7SDmT2pUw-uFxkBBeD48qrtcK2EB/s1600/IMG_1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtisReJOmWzpnT0S1Lg01_nPgSbMekS4cNINwMip29k2q6Ytt0TgE4zXzH69pTPbiSnMjWfpYvlQotEmdn_XOQfmFvG7KvmC6hrGMTEbL43QVMzm3L7SDmT2pUw-uFxkBBeD48qrtcK2EB/s640/IMG_1048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Aren't these puppies just the cutest thing you've ever seen!? They look just like my lemon beagle, Chase, who we adopted when he was 8 months old, so we never got to see him this tiny and adorable!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqta2pk0M1E7tAmB7WcMMV4zNUEIeGRU_c29rxGNReq4sGuc_YmaozmdI-_BY1UlabKYrOn6Xf8q_82wqSekb4gsua8zwuhCzZMsjfEYK1W4VJhh4vYtRANSun-KZAhQvk34EBRm1GtLk/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqta2pk0M1E7tAmB7WcMMV4zNUEIeGRU_c29rxGNReq4sGuc_YmaozmdI-_BY1UlabKYrOn6Xf8q_82wqSekb4gsua8zwuhCzZMsjfEYK1W4VJhh4vYtRANSun-KZAhQvk34EBRm1GtLk/s640/IMG_1051.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And lastly comes our big splurge of the trip, a new patio set! I have been on the hunt for a patio set for a while now and when I saw this one I just knew we had to make it ours. We picked up the 3 chairs, love seat and side table from a dealer on the first trip and I found the matching table on my return trip. They were all pretty scratched up and rusty but after a coat of spray paint it is looking as good as new! We've got the chairs and small table painted so far; the love seat and dining table are on the to-do list for the next few days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoiD4pSQiRztK0L_4wcX3a5SL_a-L8HsK95blUHSm3tzhylZ9wfkV91laOHc4EszqHRaTR70sSWDasWvP2V5rr9BcFrNrU1RWgB9e96qoj5FoaBp1RQOSJFdX8A6f9lKqnrYSJf6v99vC/s1600/IMG_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoiD4pSQiRztK0L_4wcX3a5SL_a-L8HsK95blUHSm3tzhylZ9wfkV91laOHc4EszqHRaTR70sSWDasWvP2V5rr9BcFrNrU1RWgB9e96qoj5FoaBp1RQOSJFdX8A6f9lKqnrYSJf6v99vC/s640/IMG_1069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I also have a few other recent finds to share but that will have to wait for next time... until then, happy hunting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151012036638121399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028717762756490915.post-7079207712589040562012-02-19T22:51:00.001-06:002012-02-19T22:59:39.863-06:00Thrifty Shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Now that the holidays are long gone I was hoping to get plenty of new projects done, but thanks to my work schedule I have been using most of my spare time for some much needed R&R. Since the house is at a comfortable place our project list has been put on the back burner and I am in need of some serious motivation to get back in work mode! We had been working on the bathroom and got the majority of our new wallpaper up before our housewarming party a few weekends ago. We saved the easiest/hardest part for last, the easiest because it's the smallest area with no obstacles to cut around. Hardest because it's over the tub and our step stool won't fit and I am not tall enough to reach! Sounds like the boyfriend needs to come to the rescue (wink wink). I promise to get back to work soon & post before and after bathroom pictures before long. But for now I will take the easy way out and post about some of my newest finds.<br />
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We went to a great estate sale a few weeks ago down in San Antonio. Unfortunately we hit quite a bit of traffic and got to the sale a half hour after it opened, so we missed out on a few treasures I was hoping to nab. We were able to pick up a few things for our back yard, like this bird bath; which is one of the reasons I went to this sale. It didn't have a price tag so I stood by to claim it while Mike went to ask about the price. Luckily it was very affordable so we were able to take it home, which was quite a feat since this baby was heavy! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_BkbFfpens3Zr1WRQJQw7hOfWet57-DhOAuFucsemfunaIVM27wEjUU-jpjUU8UaH6jDDVztYhYrjyaGUtRr9K1RJKWqNPTmT9qKmex6r6NnjUXyFPa-aTfh9THqCrFj-AQ4zUYQdP2l/s1600/IMG_0829%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_BkbFfpens3Zr1WRQJQw7hOfWet57-DhOAuFucsemfunaIVM27wEjUU-jpjUU8UaH6jDDVztYhYrjyaGUtRr9K1RJKWqNPTmT9qKmex6r6NnjUXyFPa-aTfh9THqCrFj-AQ4zUYQdP2l/s640/IMG_0829%255B1%255D" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isn't this squirrel just adorable?!</span> </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> We also picked up a set of fantastic folding patio chairs. They had a set of 8 at the sale, but 4 had already been claimed. At only $6 a piece I couldn't pass up the remaining 4 chairs. They are in beautiful shape and look great on our patio, now I just need a table to go with them! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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On the way back to Austin we stopped by New Braunfels for a yummy German lunch of schnitzel and to hit up yet another estate sale. This one was mostly a bust, but I did find a piece of snowflake Pyrex for only a few dollars. It had a few stains, but once I got it home and gave it a good scrub most of them came off, yay!<br />
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I've been itching to start a Pyrex collection, but for now I will take it slow picking up a piece here or there when I find them. I've been stalking the local thrift stores since other bloggers have had luck finding Pyrex there for cheap. It must be my luck or the fact that Austin thrift stores get picked over very quickly, but I haven't had any success in the Pyrex department. However, I did pick up a few things on my last thrifting trip.<br />
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This piece brought me back to my childhood of Orlando vacations visiting my Grandpa who had one of these in the playroom he had set up for the grandchildren. It is in amazing shape considering it is a kids toy, and for $1.99 I simply couldn't resist! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I started collecting souvenir spoons in high school but had completely forgotten about it in recent years. When I found this America shaped spoon display at Goodwill I knew I had to renew my collecting fervor. Most of my spoons were lost to my parent's attic or trashbin when I moved out of the house, but I was able to find a few spoons I picked up in Europe several years ago. Of course my European souvenir spoons don't exactly go with the whole 'American' theme, but I'll just ignore that detail. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YeLjY4dL6RRAkAQc8ii_UdDsAsiwtU8ba5gHuKL-MskqXY5s17w3YLvTyMBYLYP55uhAwCQYz4FQJGU9nIQRjx9UlYU7J90951YhfeHGe0tUFw26TPdA6xCxukXCK-vnqW8-NWHL8WBr/s1600/P1010327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YeLjY4dL6RRAkAQc8ii_UdDsAsiwtU8ba5gHuKL-MskqXY5s17w3YLvTyMBYLYP55uhAwCQYz4FQJGU9nIQRjx9UlYU7J90951YhfeHGe0tUFw26TPdA6xCxukXCK-vnqW8-NWHL8WBr/s640/P1010327.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
I picked up the chalkware ladybugs at a local antique shop and the spice rack was an Etsy purchase. The spice rack was new old stock, still in the original box and never used! I didn't think the label stickers would still be sticky, but they were! Unfortunately, out of all the stickers provided it did not have a 'Basil' label. I thought that was odd since basil is one of the most widely used spices in modern kitchens. Maybe basil wasn't as popular in the 70's? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZNMZmLGGMntDuyVrp1dkkWQmDbBIhDDDQNWbjc6SSKlr5uROXhXc0q3NHC2EkQHdY79SpmWUTZWz0zCg28jyyjT4Dchl4aaJXVTL5CnXkDsYuiBCuK6kMXFJoZm54H8EhKKTbTN5CfKC/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZNMZmLGGMntDuyVrp1dkkWQmDbBIhDDDQNWbjc6SSKlr5uROXhXc0q3NHC2EkQHdY79SpmWUTZWz0zCg28jyyjT4Dchl4aaJXVTL5CnXkDsYuiBCuK6kMXFJoZm54H8EhKKTbTN5CfKC/s640/IMG_0902.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> We also got a new address plate from <a href="http://www.crestviewdoors.com/">Crestview Doors</a>, doesn't it look great?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I guess I haven't been completely lazy, since I've done a bit of gardening. The spring flowers look beautiful! Pictures of the bathroom and new flowerbeds soon, for now here's a daffodil from my new garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I also have a shopping question for all of you out there in blog land: What kind of camera do you prefer to use for your digital blog photos? I've been using a mix of my iPhone and my 9 year old Olympus digital camera. After admiring the quality of photos on many of the blogs out there I have been itching to get a new camera, any suggestions? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151012036638121399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028717762756490915.post-65205711465509543512012-01-29T00:29:00.013-06:002012-02-19T23:16:35.948-06:00Get busy living or get busy dining I realized I haven't posted any pictures of the house since we've gotten settled in and started decorating. I am very pleased with the progress so far, and feel like the bulk of the major projects are done. Now it's just tying up the odds and ends, and of course the long term projects that will be done when funds allow. The first room that we completed is also a room that we use the least; go figure. When we were house hunting our dream house had to have 2 living rooms. The family room would be used for the television and decorated more contemporary, with the furniture we already had. The formal living room would be the room I would have fun with and decorate more period appropriately plus use it to show off my vintage finds.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKTdKodgisH1iGvnzuSHBAi9kL8trcztGeFl7PxOR_2F-d0fKwaVukaJc70kze5Ugn44Z8995Q7ASOJqUP7JOvc_w5V4nhfYRMLKijT3XhNU41bTvbq_my3tZj8AllKuGmfIYbKtRUoVY/s1600/2243091_501_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKTdKodgisH1iGvnzuSHBAi9kL8trcztGeFl7PxOR_2F-d0fKwaVukaJc70kze5Ugn44Z8995Q7ASOJqUP7JOvc_w5V4nhfYRMLKijT3XhNU41bTvbq_my3tZj8AllKuGmfIYbKtRUoVY/s640/2243091_501_96.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's the formal living room photo from the real estate listing</span></span></div><br />
Since our family has a rather sizable record collection we also wanted the formal living room to house the records and for entertaining during our frequent "record parties". We've had a few get-togethers so far, but of course everyone ends up in the family room, kitchen, or patio and the formal living room gets neglected. This will all change next weekend, however, when we have our official housewarming party! It's a 1950's sock-hop theme and we're going to have a DJ booth set up and dance floor ready for all our friends to break out their twist and mash-potato skills.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrc0aSd7LKwqXyrGD7OkFvU4H2ciBlu7FBgIvov7cm0kL9ikmtA0EF9EcAoHXiHs9a5X-rubIImdIIIbz35g3eiSnDX7y8uMTSyuV9xgemAGmAxjoLVOPKX_AZ8mkxUMFgu9BXec1zUPp/s1600/2243091_D01_84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrc0aSd7LKwqXyrGD7OkFvU4H2ciBlu7FBgIvov7cm0kL9ikmtA0EF9EcAoHXiHs9a5X-rubIImdIIIbz35g3eiSnDX7y8uMTSyuV9xgemAGmAxjoLVOPKX_AZ8mkxUMFgu9BXec1zUPp/s640/2243091_D01_84.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> The dining room photo from the real estate listing</span></div><br />
While a formal living room wasn't on my 'must have' list, it was a bonus. Since we moved in only a few weeks before Thanksgiving and my mother-in-law would be visiting the house for the first time, it certainly came in handy. The dining room still has a wallpaper mural in fantastic shape (with the exception of some paint splatter around the edges from the previous owner's clumsy painting skills), which I love a little more each day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNA1V_bx-0m93vHIJksQcokaQ8Dl5MztxXBcJlV_zAPZHeEr2_10UjCUXF1yVQusS_y90qU9dSzmK9kD6cilKOgCSeoFdO_OexMuyhdhchxSR2C17RKUxog5_1__ovNZ5uG0YdF8dU65W/s1600/2243091_G01_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNA1V_bx-0m93vHIJksQcokaQ8Dl5MztxXBcJlV_zAPZHeEr2_10UjCUXF1yVQusS_y90qU9dSzmK9kD6cilKOgCSeoFdO_OexMuyhdhchxSR2C17RKUxog5_1__ovNZ5uG0YdF8dU65W/s640/2243091_G01_96.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> This photo is again from the real estate listing. I've discovered I'm not very good at taking "before" photos, I always dive into a project and don't ever think about taking photos until I'm half way into it!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> The living room and dining room were originally painted seafoam blue, which not only included the walls but also the baseboards, door and window trim, as well as the banisters. While the color wasn't horrible, it had seen better days so we had our painting work cut out for us. The pinch pleat curtains were in rough shape with small holes, stains, and massive amounts of spider webs. After bringing them to the dry cleaners and being told they would cost $50 each to clean, I hit up the nearby JC Penney and found nearly the exact same curtains on clearance for half the cost of cleaning the old ones . (Now if only someone can help me figure out how traverse rods work! I've somehow gotten them to look okay, although they don't always open or close all the way.) So without further ado I present to you our new and improved living room...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Dqc_rsQYM48nJqgh4gae2ggk5bzars68WN6AqblCpyvT9AIwCKg2UVV8Zg4UFJrB1mnCbSIa6lLjS3-1aiJmKVifn7Ig-v1tH73AuaXieyl4XDjOocHCCiCF0KpGmIZmh1HiUwgB1U3-/s1600/P1010301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Dqc_rsQYM48nJqgh4gae2ggk5bzars68WN6AqblCpyvT9AIwCKg2UVV8Zg4UFJrB1mnCbSIa6lLjS3-1aiJmKVifn7Ig-v1tH73AuaXieyl4XDjOocHCCiCF0KpGmIZmh1HiUwgB1U3-/s640/P1010301.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> You may recognize the lamps from one of my previous posts; I'm so happy with them in their new homes. I originally wanted a vintage couch for this room but after scouring craigslist and local shops for several weeks without luck, I opted for the Corona sofa from Macy's instead. I really wanted the green couch but since I had already painted the walls green I wasn't so sure. Then I had a brilliant thought: grasscloth! My parents have grasscloth in the home I grew up in and I always liked it, so I knew I had to have it in my house too. The art above the record player was done by my very talented friend Trish at <a href="http://www.tigerbeearts.com/">Tigerbee Arts</a>. (She also has an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tigerbee">Etsy shop</a>.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> We still have some work to do in this room; as you may of noticed for a "record room" there are very few records. That's because the area under the starburst clock will be the future home of our ultra spiffy record cabinet, which also happens to cost a pretty penny so it's one of those 'down the line' projects. I'd also like to build a smaller version to house 45's that will go between the windows. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrOjVaOBZ2K5nW0SaPrn0wQEI_mj8yi77gOv3hO1a0gg1OI0WZWSlTM8fJ0q8h6xo8FLVd5TTG5uN1i8pALFUGSHM5__jrOZYxhj9ek2AFtGcHl4YIWmlJoZfKX8SESTy5tNJqg3cuPKh/s1600/cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="617" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrOjVaOBZ2K5nW0SaPrn0wQEI_mj8yi77gOv3hO1a0gg1OI0WZWSlTM8fJ0q8h6xo8FLVd5TTG5uN1i8pALFUGSHM5__jrOZYxhj9ek2AFtGcHl4YIWmlJoZfKX8SESTy5tNJqg3cuPKh/s640/cabinet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> As for the dining room, I totally lucked out. Several days after we had an accepted contract on our house a china cabinet came into a local vintage shop that I had to have. Then only a week before Thanksgiving my persistent Craigslist stalking paid off with a Burke Tulip table and chair set! I have been drooling over tulip tables for years.. I still can't believe I own one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9pCm1ldj25ll-FyInjFEOBhjsBBcP1GXperfkiusUMTxhiO7pQqA0Xf3iSuJFH63jyKpKpMgSf0N4NguESP2C5wA2VI4E9LY9dVEFhw6ZXr3t-iv_VCaiilwm6jkuk8qwFD-EbqcCHKn/s1600/P1010303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9pCm1ldj25ll-FyInjFEOBhjsBBcP1GXperfkiusUMTxhiO7pQqA0Xf3iSuJFH63jyKpKpMgSf0N4NguESP2C5wA2VI4E9LY9dVEFhw6ZXr3t-iv_VCaiilwm6jkuk8qwFD-EbqcCHKn/s640/P1010303.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My Mother-in-law bought me a large Tickled Pink china set for a housewarming gift, how great is that?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsflltVPi66tbSzuht_vrcF5oeHGlSaahl-RWTgG3kDIumUHlp8LRH5BIcyuRC61H9j4n6iV6IQxRPoAKesIW9R26q9Ufg3-W0Kr5x0LQ2OY9RTMuXhhxzeDebrpnocdwntEQEgQChqU7F/s1600/P1010299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsflltVPi66tbSzuht_vrcF5oeHGlSaahl-RWTgG3kDIumUHlp8LRH5BIcyuRC61H9j4n6iV6IQxRPoAKesIW9R26q9Ufg3-W0Kr5x0LQ2OY9RTMuXhhxzeDebrpnocdwntEQEgQChqU7F/s640/P1010299.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkrlJRMG7xA-3Ehy5Tmei4nc3lPLlV-6cW_Mc-XzrVrKwoVFvslwO4gBmL_2z2sN65qWz97B7MUegE-PIUl4CaO6buixq7Sj_ajicDOLO3nlTEksON83BHCAmWxR6zGtmNCrVFNd_hyphenhyphenTW/s1600/P1010302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkrlJRMG7xA-3Ehy5Tmei4nc3lPLlV-6cW_Mc-XzrVrKwoVFvslwO4gBmL_2z2sN65qWz97B7MUegE-PIUl4CaO6buixq7Sj_ajicDOLO3nlTEksON83BHCAmWxR6zGtmNCrVFNd_hyphenhyphenTW/s640/P1010302.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I completely love how these rooms turned out. The best part is I've already had several friends tell me that it reminds them of their grandparents house. I take that as a compliment; it puts a smile on my face to know I'm doing something right!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151012036638121399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028717762756490915.post-1247345224000134112012-01-15T00:07:00.006-06:002012-02-19T23:12:33.595-06:00The Search Happy new year ya'll, I hope everyone had a very happy holiday season! Now that they are over I'm hoping I can get around to blogging more often. I check my favorite blogs constantly waiting for new posts and then never update my own; I know, I am a total hypocrite! But I just finished my latest project and thought I would take a minute to share.<br />
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I've been looking for a new light fixture for the ceiling of our hallway for ages now. I picked up one from Ikea a month or so ago, and even though I loved the way it looked, it hung way too low due to our 8 foot ceilings. Anyone over 6 feet tall risked hitting their noggin on it, and since I have several tall friends it had to go.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMny5kDEOrTDJxO5w5YjRB2fpAy3tYUL5EGv44-ilknhUoF4slkiiyfpsVfXsb4X7j9EZJbPADrI7JBh8F3kvc4TicNEIA4QnfctSUuEoNSUgfNrCdffvA1sp_YQyBdcLYS12YavRNF3Q/s1600/380890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMny5kDEOrTDJxO5w5YjRB2fpAy3tYUL5EGv44-ilknhUoF4slkiiyfpsVfXsb4X7j9EZJbPADrI7JBh8F3kvc4TicNEIA4QnfctSUuEoNSUgfNrCdffvA1sp_YQyBdcLYS12YavRNF3Q/s640/380890.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><br />
Finding a replacement wasn't as easy as it sounded. I scoured the web, ReStore, Craigslist, and big box stores for a light that was small enough for a hallway, short enough to hug tight to the ceiling but still with a mid-century flare to fit in with our decor. I was about to settle on a mediocre, expensive fixture I found online... and then my local vintage store came through for me when no one else could!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgLfLcB4YdWZUBdBePWTY-fomMVdYBUeZ812dusiBsjla5WyeZ8p2Wi85iMrWhFM8D84IapiY3Mx_uJ6Wem6GmV-PAtIhsWEue_YInqEqCFIJ_WEaOMELrxZDiOLApisFkRQmGwHuUNjc/s1600/IMG_0773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgLfLcB4YdWZUBdBePWTY-fomMVdYBUeZ812dusiBsjla5WyeZ8p2Wi85iMrWhFM8D84IapiY3Mx_uJ6Wem6GmV-PAtIhsWEue_YInqEqCFIJ_WEaOMELrxZDiOLApisFkRQmGwHuUNjc/s640/IMG_0773.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It wasn't perfect, but boy did it have potential! I fell in love with the stars, and I couldn't wait to see them lit up! We decided to take the risk and pick it up for $25 even though it needed rewiring, painting and was missing the mounting hardware. After a trip to Lowe's we picked up all the supplies we needed to restore it for around $30. We used a wire brush to chip off the rust and old paint and then used Rustoleum spray paint to restore it to the original white. The wiring was simple enough, so we didn't even need to pay someone to rewire it for us. All it took was a simple wiring kit from the hardware store. With a few hours of work we had it looking great! The mounting was by far the hardest part. We found the supplies easily enough, but it turned out to be one of those projects that seems simple in your head but executing it somehow turns into a chore and takes 20 times longer than it should (I've come to find this is the case with pretty much EVERY home improvement task we take on!).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbxtWqQAATnvfDj-HFG49JRhTzhwMDsP10Txrf61_9Tz8ZCF2-fPiE3JeGlZPHCMKU-DuuIj7_nPv0xAaHD4eaz6_r-BDR95eJ2_w7wxqiNgq_UZ6qC1dCLH7JFaD9lmAPo10ORUd05KT/s1600/IMG_0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbxtWqQAATnvfDj-HFG49JRhTzhwMDsP10Txrf61_9Tz8ZCF2-fPiE3JeGlZPHCMKU-DuuIj7_nPv0xAaHD4eaz6_r-BDR95eJ2_w7wxqiNgq_UZ6qC1dCLH7JFaD9lmAPo10ORUd05KT/s640/IMG_0786.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Here it is all painted up and ready for it's big debut.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHrHPElCFgKjglak9cB_q3Ox1vO7HXOSGDl4RgiGDD7ROBxj8qg8SgVHtd2tYFMdtjSazJ7oEkPhnNoqJ_sE1LQTIQSqR7_irv6RLPvFtHuEV4Jgxzza9iKGaSCvcUYl7e0kkF259j6OI/s1600/IMG_0783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHrHPElCFgKjglak9cB_q3Ox1vO7HXOSGDl4RgiGDD7ROBxj8qg8SgVHtd2tYFMdtjSazJ7oEkPhnNoqJ_sE1LQTIQSqR7_irv6RLPvFtHuEV4Jgxzza9iKGaSCvcUYl7e0kkF259j6OI/s640/IMG_0783.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> And here it is lit up! Isn't it majestic? The stars are beautiful and it fits in perfectly in our hallway. I'm sure everyone will have a hard time believing it's not original to the house.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWoXMw6BaZUbRepHb3HAPLT_aL2ie6eUA43aHfRNVYS8EshK206bPJInG-6m9qC5mU2JbsAUFJHXRN0RGuEK6YR8v-3PEgYRuLX8z7DjTYu3hKYIIp6btxr1tKGn4H16Zo4hd2qdVgRo8/s1600/IMG_0783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJhyphenhyphena6iCcaKoEgicX7pf7ZSeoiDgua_SyUy8QK-ZeY9vb0NsD_DqmPj-KSdxf-UOGIOjVjYR1SyfSP9Rivq5ntA8tysPwIGN2M2cPnDXem-bCvnMJTe24NA66lf0f7BCw1ZFkVBTfDjIz/s640/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br />
Do any of you have any new projects you've been working on? Or projects planned for the upcoming year? Our list is about a mile long of things we hope to get accomplished this year, but we are slowly chipping away at them one by one.Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151012036638121399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028717762756490915.post-40433549447088905572011-10-30T00:13:00.004-05:002012-02-19T23:13:12.892-06:00Our New FloorsWow, I am totally feeling guilty for not posting a new blog in over a month, but I have been so busy! On top of renovating our house I'm also a part time student and have a full time job, so my blog is the first thing that gets neglected. In fact I shouldn't even be blogging now as I have a history test I should be studying for, but I thought I'd take a minute to update ya'll with the latest progress.<br />
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Let me just say when we bought this house we knew it was a fixer upper, but being first time home buyers and completely clueless on home improvement we had no clue how much time and effort it took to fix up a house! A month into it and we've only gotten half the stuff done we anticipated, but the hard work is paying off and the house is starting to turn into 'home'. We were scheduled to move in this past week but with the delay on our flooring install and spending every spare moment working on the house, we never found time to pack! We luckily got our lease extended a few weeks on our apartment so we have a bit longer to clean and pack before we move.<br />
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Here's a few things we have been working on..<br />
The first is our guest bathroom. This is the one with the amazing snowflake wall paper I posted about last time (which I have yet to do anything with). I love the green tile, but the flooring left much to be desired. When we bought the house it had shag carpeting... umm yeah, carpet in the bathroom is NEVER a good idea! I ripped up the carpet and there was linoleum underneath; this interesting tan color with gold streaks running through it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc1f2PJIFhHnKuCJMXu2TLq4rcWL_peyzILVQfzlSBvCoalDbAb2UjG3bfy3JliRqr3jr-JhP8Do2qM9nCMEGO3q-NgN-zaWm3xBhqEtpnmgbjLwJWO6mal1qd9HyOItCwO9C_Rni9t2F/s1600/turlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc1f2PJIFhHnKuCJMXu2TLq4rcWL_peyzILVQfzlSBvCoalDbAb2UjG3bfy3JliRqr3jr-JhP8Do2qM9nCMEGO3q-NgN-zaWm3xBhqEtpnmgbjLwJWO6mal1qd9HyOItCwO9C_Rni9t2F/s640/turlet.jpg" width="475" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
I'm not really a fan of brown in bathrooms either; it's not as bad as carpet, but the whole thing still gives me the heebee jeebees. I chose the white and black hexagon tile and decided to lay it myself. After watching a few youtube videos I thought it wouldn't be so hard. Uhhh... let's just say I am definitely not going in the tile laying business anytime soon! It only took me two and a half days, but I finally got it laid and grouted, and have the back pain to prove it. Here's a picture before I did the grout, it's not perfect, but for my first time I think I did a decent job. I'm hoping the bathmat will hide the majority of my mistakes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2q_Mk-_sOfN1tKINBiLV_IWyQDd4VNtD0X5YEMjpfWn_8WcYOcd7CuefvsE4Yw1rnqQm5h-IgFKQ4jgeWzXotg6_BYwyB3NsU6M_POKmTU3y0ryYheh3fhb-cfe7RuJbkhJLY_5jvmq9/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2q_Mk-_sOfN1tKINBiLV_IWyQDd4VNtD0X5YEMjpfWn_8WcYOcd7CuefvsE4Yw1rnqQm5h-IgFKQ4jgeWzXotg6_BYwyB3NsU6M_POKmTU3y0ryYheh3fhb-cfe7RuJbkhJLY_5jvmq9/s640/IMG_0529.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br />
We also decided to sand down the wall that had the burlap wallpaper and paint it as an accent wall since we couldn't remove the wallpaper adhesive. I wanted it to be a vibrant 70's orange, but instead it turned out more like a pumpkin. Oh well, we will probably repaint it down the line, but with it being Halloween I think I can deal with it for the time being. We also got our new VCT floors! We decided we couldn't salvage the original tile since too much of it was cracked or broke when we took up the carpet tack strips. I love the new floors so much better anyways! Doesn't it look amazing? I was inspired by the floors featured on the <a href="http://wedgwoodtulsa.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-vct-floor-is-finally-here.html">Wedgwood Tulsa</a> blog, but decided to go with green instead since it would match our kitchen counters better than turquoise. Check them out below... also note my amazing shadow hulk arms!<br />
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Last but not least, today we got our wood floors installed! We still have to sand and stain them, but the wood is there and it looks amazing thus far. I won't even go into the ordeal we had tearing up the carpet, pulling up the tile underneath and then removing the floorboards. I'll just say wearing painters suits, gloves, googles and face masks in the dead of summer in Texas is not a fun time. But those days are over and now we get to reap the rewards with our amazing new floors!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuStUnI6ZKvC7I1mQ7MuaFU3gq7GDyWJr6ZZbva5vCzBQDP97rBoADEOkSdj9IMv4gA8YTWL0jToMsiUz8DQdLeFzMktskhNOGNTRRVqJgr_i_JIQNLSTZWqeREvBYsZ1OXX8KyCr2QUBp/s1600/IMG_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuStUnI6ZKvC7I1mQ7MuaFU3gq7GDyWJr6ZZbva5vCzBQDP97rBoADEOkSdj9IMv4gA8YTWL0jToMsiUz8DQdLeFzMktskhNOGNTRRVqJgr_i_JIQNLSTZWqeREvBYsZ1OXX8KyCr2QUBp/s640/IMG_0668.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJM4oLMVpKNbyaNFlGA18x6IBg_JmSpc97fW_ZOPboITMxsV0tDbfHDrHqeLFTaRYIvrZfGg_Hh9gSuaFdOxAEl2FGDulcsIYHcrFexV1v3cG4zSdalKnc0hbcXsdyVkmAWj0bBgySi5Ca/s1600/IMG_0667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJM4oLMVpKNbyaNFlGA18x6IBg_JmSpc97fW_ZOPboITMxsV0tDbfHDrHqeLFTaRYIvrZfGg_Hh9gSuaFdOxAEl2FGDulcsIYHcrFexV1v3cG4zSdalKnc0hbcXsdyVkmAWj0bBgySi5Ca/s640/IMG_0667.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You also get to catch a glimpse of our new paint colors, we chose a light green for the formal living room and a yellow for the dining. I wanted to keep the original garden mural in the dining room although I wasn't completely in love with it at first. But once I cleaned it up and painted the walls it made a world of difference. Now it fits right in place and I couldn't imagine our dining room without it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well that's the latest in my world. Hopefully it won't be as long before my next post, but between moving in next week and a trip to NYC to see "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" on Broadway for my birthday in 2 weeks, I'm afraid I can't make any promises! </div>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151012036638121399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028717762756490915.post-33622413277735217052011-09-22T03:35:00.022-05:002012-02-19T23:14:05.674-06:00Our New House!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRRtGcJBwbKSnUDO-9sqNQoqzJPvqyBaDNI2YRyJKVmknjbD0J-OR7W5IM7Myl61j1PFdQhkq4dLfXZbnOXqgHUvzaCgOgP_ROqxzyvk41ansJ39qLWYaMdWEsGl802o8HRyXCkjU0mUo/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></div> Wow, what an amazing day today has been. Yes, today was our closing date which means we are now homeowners! I still can't believe it, I just keep repeating "We bought a house" out loud to anyone who will listen, and yes that includes our two dogs. We signed all the papers this morning and went out for a nice lunch at the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate while we waited for our funding to go through so we could get the keys. After lunch we stopped by Lowe's to get a head start on buying supplies for the house. We're tearing up the carpet ourselves because we want it gone ASAP since it's most likely a health hazard to be breathing in whatever creatures have been living in it for the past 30 or 40 years. We bought suits, gloves, goggles and breathing masks in preparation of getting seriously down and dirty in our new house. I also chose Lowe's because <a href="http://retrorenovation.com/">Retro Renovation</a> recently featured a story on their retro inspired lighting and I had to check it out for myself. I did say I was lighting obsessed in my last post, did I not? I particularly had my eye on this baby for our foyer:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5uLth-sLVNcX0mA1300KfiKVPUKAicr-zoO02V0iEiIe4mXhzlfw1Yq601_JxpTsoKZfSE2FyDeMNV1FNcBqLmj8yJ0VIEezvZpLBsFMrJVecLSbRnw2iBJQrqaGj4Bf6aWl9veh9v92/s1600/glamorous-retro-bedroom-or-foyer-light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5uLth-sLVNcX0mA1300KfiKVPUKAicr-zoO02V0iEiIe4mXhzlfw1Yq601_JxpTsoKZfSE2FyDeMNV1FNcBqLmj8yJ0VIEezvZpLBsFMrJVecLSbRnw2iBJQrqaGj4Bf6aWl9veh9v92/s640/glamorous-retro-bedroom-or-foyer-light.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I think it will look great in our new house, so I went ahead and picked it up. It is now anxiously awaiting to be installed in our entryway. While we were at Lowe's we got the call that we could come and get our keys!<br />
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We picked up our dogs so they could enjoy our new backyard then headed to the house. We initially planned just to drop in for a bit to take some measurements and to take a closer look around so we could start brainstorming our plans. But "brainstorming" quickly turned into taking down wall paper and pulling up the carpet. There were several things in the house we wanted to get rid of right away, the first and foremost being the dingy shag carpeting which I'm guessing is left over from the 70's. The second was this strange wall paper in our family room that looks like it was made of burlap and has a matching upholstered cornice board with lighting behind it. Funky idea but just not what we are looking for in our home, luckily it was only on one wall. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8lVS2Mn719Fj9mbu-u1bK7h0B_sAOq9UYZqDimYvDiVAXjo2_pw6TpJcdmQfcpgOHejzK9x0HM2BWRLwESByQstrxRaK9xTcEqjj9Ozwes_akImnsStdu9vtNPSs6VWS_hxCZ3NLy2hJ/s1600/fr2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRRtGcJBwbKSnUDO-9sqNQoqzJPvqyBaDNI2YRyJKVmknjbD0J-OR7W5IM7Myl61j1PFdQhkq4dLfXZbnOXqgHUvzaCgOgP_ROqxzyvk41ansJ39qLWYaMdWEsGl802o8HRyXCkjU0mUo/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></div><br />
We were curious what was hiding behind the burlap so we starting picking at it and it came off pretty easily. The only problem was the adhesive they used to attach it to the wall left a film over the wood paneling. I have no idea how we will be able to get it off without damaging the wood, so if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them. I already was thinking this wall would look great painted as an accent wall to break up the darkness of the wood paneling, so we can always paint over it if the wood can't be salvaged, but I would like to try to restore the wood first.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORffDJZ04MOlfs3C9zY5PhnhTZk9omdlxSKwqbs5Ruq1iNDufpQ1xlkmZqHwu9xnveYiFHqsrzLCyOs-l_ZqEc6GQxtM18MavuG56bN-PYOcS4ZtePsaXE4A4EQJYTEUS7c9fFYXeYGvs/s1600/fr1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORffDJZ04MOlfs3C9zY5PhnhTZk9omdlxSKwqbs5Ruq1iNDufpQ1xlkmZqHwu9xnveYiFHqsrzLCyOs-l_ZqEc6GQxtM18MavuG56bN-PYOcS4ZtePsaXE4A4EQJYTEUS7c9fFYXeYGvs/s640/fr1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">The burlap wallpaper is gone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> While Mike tackled ripping up the carpet in this room I started in one of the bedrooms. Much to our surprise there are VCT floors under the carpet! Unfortunately they used glue to secure the carpet pads directly onto the floor, so I'm not sure if we will be able to remove the glue without destroying the tile. I was expecting concrete underneath and was very happy to see the tile hiding below. I hope we can salvage the tile since it will definitely be a lot cheaper than the wood flooring we had been planning on installing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEM5BIsB8gV4Pv-XBpnDEtmqlE2hAm8w6N_8_ifw-A-d4swIsqb-rcjJNosiyDYe5e5UuJNaC5pRRHoEJD5lxSIPdm937247cQyAEqpq9LQqIzsgqO4Be221RlLIUCdqgbi7lZE_pJ0Aok/s1600/br1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEM5BIsB8gV4Pv-XBpnDEtmqlE2hAm8w6N_8_ifw-A-d4swIsqb-rcjJNosiyDYe5e5UuJNaC5pRRHoEJD5lxSIPdm937247cQyAEqpq9LQqIzsgqO4Be221RlLIUCdqgbi7lZE_pJ0Aok/s640/br1.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">The larger of the 2 guest bedrooms, this one will be Mike's office</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> My favorite part of the day (which could also potentially turn into the most devastating in the long run if we can't find a way to save it) was my discovery in our guest bathroom. It appears the whole house was renovated in the 70's which is a whole lot better than it being renovated post 1980 but still not the 60's charm that I love. The wallpaper in the bathroom had to go, so I picked a corner to start pulling it off. What I found is probably the single most amazing wallpaper I have ever seen. And it is in MY house!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh851Hh93XeOVHeG6PWFeJFxJb_l6Cp6TwFfg3QA4rEzOhvF9ELsAeEUTYWoje0_gcrOgbpAxJpipx6aX0XJP7nZJviLSdYwRViJgY36Y7fvL5zdxTiZBXAJQFWP3I20tYYlesX2wNe7kPv/s1600/paper4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh851Hh93XeOVHeG6PWFeJFxJb_l6Cp6TwFfg3QA4rEzOhvF9ELsAeEUTYWoje0_gcrOgbpAxJpipx6aX0XJP7nZJviLSdYwRViJgY36Y7fvL5zdxTiZBXAJQFWP3I20tYYlesX2wNe7kPv/s640/paper4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">The 70's paper that was in the bathroom when we bought it</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIqaqF6pz3nrDsW22LBKKKsRaulTSHDOYoYlnk3VN3w4mY1G8FMMqjvIWLgiLyF8x8BS6WWr9IxIo4A4YEwuqRukbTfZr0xlBOs8Zo8RkOPHykKRf3VTwU2K2J_Nw0-Tz2tIn4nbXOuy6/s1600/paper1.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIqaqF6pz3nrDsW22LBKKKsRaulTSHDOYoYlnk3VN3w4mY1G8FMMqjvIWLgiLyF8x8BS6WWr9IxIo4A4YEwuqRukbTfZr0xlBOs8Zo8RkOPHykKRf3VTwU2K2J_Nw0-Tz2tIn4nbXOuy6/s640/paper1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">What I found underneath, there was a 2nd layer of pink flowered paper</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNrqYnHjY7LZToGSCTc3Qi0BeYt-xgBxVbHGJsqtYTJpDjobDqZjzNjQQGAxGMX2KPEnlKzNwKP3UjeGtrEzrs_lpyTBBGULl2gqxT_o9n8WbwE1CZdZ5gDWDOaZo_LYpK7PP33vAnMl6/s1600/paper3.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNrqYnHjY7LZToGSCTc3Qi0BeYt-xgBxVbHGJsqtYTJpDjobDqZjzNjQQGAxGMX2KPEnlKzNwKP3UjeGtrEzrs_lpyTBBGULl2gqxT_o9n8WbwE1CZdZ5gDWDOaZo_LYpK7PP33vAnMl6/s640/paper3.JPG" width="476" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1jxFWvaUoZgKQEnEbJrRhaH0urBNkEx4-2Hq_WKiNJwiKFdBEsxfDu-KuLk7_04be7Wtz7QfuW_BGAnCNvtK8ybDormlkqGPfLUBswuZ8P_oVIU17-YCtQPm1QdXzLvwN2MNskD8sJo1/s1600/paper2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1jxFWvaUoZgKQEnEbJrRhaH0urBNkEx4-2Hq_WKiNJwiKFdBEsxfDu-KuLk7_04be7Wtz7QfuW_BGAnCNvtK8ybDormlkqGPfLUBswuZ8P_oVIU17-YCtQPm1QdXzLvwN2MNskD8sJo1/s640/paper2.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;">Then under it all was this 60's diamond and snowflake paper, isn't it just jaw dropping? Why someone in their right mind would ever, ever, ever consider covering this up?! I haven't mentioned it yet, but I love snowflakes.. Mike actually bought me a snowflake necklace for Valentine's Day this year and I was just saying the other day how I would like to get a snowflake tattoo. Spending my entire life living in the south has left me with an affinity for snow that I realize I probably would not have if I lived somewhere that receives regular snowfall. The paper is pink, blue and green which ties it in with the mint green tile. I am crazy for this wall paper! Problem is there has been wallpaper sitting on top of it for the past 40+ years which left glue residue all over it. I will do anything I can to save this paper and it may very well be the reason I was put on this earth. What can you do to get glue off the front of wallpaper without completely destroying it in the process? </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Seriously folks, this is what my dreams are made of. I've been dreaming of owning my own home for the past 5 years and the day I finally do I was rewarded with hidden gems left and right. Yes, we have a few glue problems, but I can not wait to get in there tomorrow and be one step closer to us moving in.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151012036638121399noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028717762756490915.post-81542512994115315252011-09-04T22:40:00.006-05:002012-02-19T23:14:58.188-06:00I Love Lamp! Saturday morning I attended the Austin <a href="http://www.cwgs.com/">City Wide Garage Sale</a>. Despite the name it's not much of a typical garage sale, more like a weekend long make-shift antique mall. I've been a few times over the years and it can be hit or miss, but I have found a few gems. The first garage sale I visited I found this killer Vargas print my mother in-law had custom framed for me and which now permanently resides above my bed.<br />
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Since it is Labor Day weekend and therefore estate sales were slim pickings I decided to hit up the City Wide instead. As I first entered the door I noticed a table with a large collection of Tickled Pink dinnerware I was instantly drawn to, but I had to pull myself away by reminding myself that pink dishes would clash with my red kitchenware. It took a while for the 'no' to sink into my head while I admired it, but somehow I finally pried myself away. Good thing I did because shortly after I found a great Pyrex dish in the 'friendship' pattern that would go perfectly in my kitchen! Naturally it came home with me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpqgYbbvmYbXqroLZ8PhLfkcmP-apnXiVWWM86I2XXjXEL1pEThdP3RRWpk7QPw9tSW9XTGjze0rr9JKLKVLETEgtijONTmFmn49U_LzF1I6SyHm_ryvhd2l6tiWUmgPvAh_ImgecTKd9/s1600/IMG_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpqgYbbvmYbXqroLZ8PhLfkcmP-apnXiVWWM86I2XXjXEL1pEThdP3RRWpk7QPw9tSW9XTGjze0rr9JKLKVLETEgtijONTmFmn49U_LzF1I6SyHm_ryvhd2l6tiWUmgPvAh_ImgecTKd9/s640/IMG_0405.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
A little while later I found a booth with some amazing mid century pieces. The mister was eyeing a Sears Silvertone record player.. but I was obsessed with a 50's pink lamp with a fiberglass shade. I was instantly in love, but it took some convincing to get Mike on board. He's usually very tolerant of my adoration of all things girly pink and has actually agreed to let me paint and one day even possibly re-tile our master bathroom in pink! But once I told him I would like to put the lamp in our formal living room; which will be his 'Record Room' (his equivalent of a man cave), it took some finesse to get him to come around. I was in love and wasn't leaving without it!<br />
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Once I got this baby back to the apartment I realized we really have nowhere to display it until we move in to the house. I'm starting to get embarrassed to even have anyone enter our apartment since I've been acquiring so much stuff for the house that every available space is being occupied with my most recent finds.<br />
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Since I promised a post about some of my new goodies I decided to share a few more lamps I recently picked up. I keep buying lamps and then feel guilty because I have 2 perfectly wonderful matching sets already hiding in the back of our closet (not vintage but new lamps inspired by mid century design). I guess I have a lamp obsession and didn't even realize it!<br />
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I'll start off with this great light my generous stepmother salvaged from a neighbor who was remodeling her 1970's home. She sent me photos asking if I wanted it since she knew it was my style and I pretty much freaked out at how wonderful it was! This lamp will look positively perfect in the breakfast nook of our house. There's also a great chandelier she salvaged but it didn't photograph as well, so you'll just have to wait to see it once we have it installed in our dining room.<br />
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The next one I bought when visiting Jacksonville back in July. I found a great antique mall I had never been to and this wonderful lamp was waiting there specially for me. I actually left the shop without it because I wasn't sure how I would get it to Texas. After dreaming all day and night about it I headed back to the shop the very next morning to make it mine. I was so nervous sending it in the mail, but I packed it with an entire bag of packing peanuts and wrote "FRAGILE" all over the box. Thankfully it arrived safe and sound!<br />
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This last lamp I found hiding in the garage of a marvelous estate sale last weekend. I was one of the first people in line to get in the house and I left with a car full of treasures. I had been scoping out all the rooms in the house and making a huge hold pile when I finally made it into the garage about 20 minutes after first stepping foot in the house. I somehow even walked right past this baby when entering the garage and then noticed it from across the room. I made a mad dash for it, took 2 glances and told the friendly employee stationed at the door that it was mine! The top of it is pretty rusty and the plug had to be replaced, but it works great and is very bright. Just what we will need in our living room since there are no ceiling light fixtures.<br />
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Well that's all of my lamps for now.. at this rate I am sure I will add another one to my collection soon enough!Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151012036638121399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028717762756490915.post-26119564698341104172011-09-02T01:08:00.001-05:002012-02-19T23:15:28.612-06:00It Begins...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpe57P2Oo_dhyphenhyphenebcZDAS6N4puUKZmwsp8EOfIm7RtioTkzFAztN5LvJkMYUI2Tm_761eU-quoyrBxOFFLzSs88qGyjbE7rj4zaitrtjHovgLbqKVIAJe6b8uYiLBnOy6pfCNLck1JidaM/s1600/IMG_0368.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpe57P2Oo_dhyphenhyphenebcZDAS6N4puUKZmwsp8EOfIm7RtioTkzFAztN5LvJkMYUI2Tm_761eU-quoyrBxOFFLzSs88qGyjbE7rj4zaitrtjHovgLbqKVIAJe6b8uYiLBnOy6pfCNLck1JidaM/s320/IMG_0368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSdpv8WoBqxIBupJvhv4gVbUpMfzAzgpnN7IZzTWuz9szGsvK8k-2ILaFjcEUqqgS3QYDssjDt6ZDxN4NhAh9mkrGDZE9Gv2TfONvhu_klBP5Bom9kfAUZDnzv9GoapMz2hc1e9Ue9Zmf/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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After nearly a year of house hunting it is finally happening! We are buying a house! I never imagined it would take this long to find the house of our dreams and then actually come to an agreement with the sellers. We've had several close calls over the past 6 months but for some reason it always fell through. In fact it looked like it was going to fall through with this house as well. We were down to the wire; a few hours before the end of our option period, trying to haggle over a few thousand dollars for repair work. Right as we were writing up a higher offer we got a call that the sellers finally came around to negotiating, and then and there it finally fell into place. Mike called me while I was at work; on one of the busiest shopping days of the year nonetheless, and excitedly told me "We're buying a house!!" Of course I started jumping up and down ecstatically in a store full of people.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ABO7fhD4DWftpH7XWD7V7ev4RvYE2QkcLDdOpVz4JZouUpczUyMe5t54u4Jy6HEteF4isGdCYPetRBx8xLV-a9pAg8mwdMgWAGAxcSiylJ70tY7yqwyble6UUdX59k3T-DiSP17-KF7Y/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9XRVmgCUmQVvykPnhIe8-qk03bxCQStvqqn92v1X8dD6lOVsJHggB0WF64FWsY61nrN4gjxD-cHnYNd2XbHqVQBATfmC9uTID1hGH9zpTZRwhRBpKJDn2GaVz9dIlLOfEsI9xM3y4XYh/s320/IMG_0370.JPG" width="320" /></a> We had high hopes for this one. Not only is it in the neighborhood that we love (and had put offers on 2 other houses just blocks away), it is also only 2 houses away from our friends who were delighted at the possibility of us moving to their 'hood. I spotted the listing for the house only hours after it hit the market and as fate had it we were meeting with our agent to see it just a few hours later. Finally the opportunity we had been searching for: not only were we the first people to see the house, it was also priced low because it needed "updating". At last there was a seller who was oblivious to the charm and popularity of mid century homes and priced it cheap to sell fast!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nmMsfz6y7_ony0ON0VVwUQfU9qdI8VRhUsYxatMa-PecDslF0bdV_T6tfG8C3nnRfmlrhRaaoUMu2wkrZ_LyEb104P5zfUaU0O42OWzGJyZVc9g-NOOLcYIdgpopzDbemL60ptM5OODQ/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nmMsfz6y7_ony0ON0VVwUQfU9qdI8VRhUsYxatMa-PecDslF0bdV_T6tfG8C3nnRfmlrhRaaoUMu2wkrZ_LyEb104P5zfUaU0O42OWzGJyZVc9g-NOOLcYIdgpopzDbemL60ptM5OODQ/s320/IMG_0366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I've been a huge fan of mid century blogs for a few years now. It all started when I found <a href="http://retrorenovation.com/">Retro Renovation</a> and since then I have been obsessed with the idea of buying and restoring a mid century home back to it's glory days. We've lived in an apartment for the past 4 years since moving to Austin and therefore I've been able to collect very little due to space constraints. Our closets are already bursting at the seams without me coming home with loads of vintage goodies! I've still been able to pick up a few great mid century pieces, my favorite being our bedroom set I found on Craigslist. 2 dressers, a highboy and 2 nightstands: black with tapered legs and what I think is a white melamine top. It needs some touch up paint; which hasn't happened due to a lack of a work space, but it's definitely on the 'to-do' list once we get in the house.<br />
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Now that I have a house of my own I've decided to stop just reading and start writing a chronicle of my own adventures in home ownership! I have become a complete shopaholic over the past several weeks in anticipation of decorating the house. Our closing date isn't until September 21 and I am so anxious to get in there I am compensating by buying everything I can get my greedy retro loving little hands on. Next time I'll post all about my new goodies...Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151012036638121399noreply@blogger.com0